The facts
OCHA reported on 29 October that the Israeli operation began on 23 October after a checkpoint shooting in which two Israeli soldiers were killed. It said access into Hebron remained restricted, with limited entry for supplies. [1][3]
OCHA cited the Hebron Municipality’s estimate of about 3,000 displaced residents and said the figure was still being verified; it is not a confirmed census. [1]
OCHA reported that Hebron’s education directorate moved more than 251,000 students across 691 governorate schools to remote learning on 25–26 October because of the operation. [1]
On 1 November, WAFA, citing local sources, reported about 3,300 people displaced or otherwise affected, roughly 80,000 Hebron city students absent, and 15 homes or structures demolished and 327 businesses closed. The report does not establish that all 3,300 were displaced. [4]
The Israeli military’s 23 October account said residents could leave through three designated points; this is the military’s description of the earlier movement arrangements. [2]
The Times of Israel reported on 2 November that the IDF had not issued a public statement, but military officials confirmed to reporters that the 11-day operation was complete and troops had withdrawn from the neighborhood where the two gunmen lived. [6]
Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin said Israeli forces had withdrawn from the entire city and that Palestinian security agencies were in control. This broader claim is attributed to the governor and is not presented as an independently verified IDF citywide withdrawal. [7][8]
Sada News reported that the governor permitted displaced families to return while authorities assessed conditions. It quoted Civil Defense warnings not to touch suspicious objects or enter damaged buildings before safety checks. [8]
Al Jazeera reported that the mayor said municipal officials were informed of the withdrawal at 06:00 local time and that schoolchildren and university students returned as schools and universities reopened. [7]
Still unconfirmed
- The verified number of people displaced, trapped or otherwise affected remains unknown; OCHA and local reports use different definitions.
- The full scope of Israeli force withdrawal across the city and any continued military presence elsewhere are not independently established; the IDF account and the governor’s broader account are distinguished.
- Whether all homes, damaged buildings and areas containing suspicious objects have been checked and are safe for return remains unknown.
- The final number of civilian casualties, school days disrupted, business closures and demolitions is not established.
Corrections & updates
Substantive update, 2 November: added the military’s confirmation to The Times of Israel that the operation ended and troops left the attackers’ neighborhood, separately attributed the governor’s claim of a full-city withdrawal, and added local return-safety warnings and school reopening reports. The full scope of withdrawal and safe return are not stated as independently confirmed.
Sources
References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 2 Nov 2026, 09:06 UTC.
OCHA and the IDF provide primary accounts from different parties; AP independently reported the operation’s start and trigger. The Times of Israel reports an IDF confirmation to reporters that the operation ended and troops left the attackers’ neighborhood, while noting no public IDF statement. The broader citywide withdrawal is the governor’s claim as reported by Al Jazeera/Anadolu and Sada News. Civil Defense warnings are attributed to Sada. Displacement and business figures have differing definitions and are not reconciled.
- Humanitarian Situation Report: 29 October 2026
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs · Primary source · 29 Oct 2026
Opened OCHA report. Its displacement estimate is attributed to Hebron Municipality and explicitly marked as under verification.
- Why is the IDF operating in Hebron?
Israel Defense Forces · Primary source · 23 Oct 2026
Opened the military’s account of the operation and its stated exit arrangements; presented as the IDF’s account.
- Israeli forces launch operation in West Bank city of Hebron after deadly shooting
The Associated Press · Reporting · 24 Oct 2026
Opened AP report on the operation following the checkpoint shooting and its immediate effects.
- Israeli restrictions and demolitions continue in Hebron as operation enters second week
WAFA · Reporting · 1 Nov 2026
Opened local report; estimates and school, business and demolition figures are attributed to local sources and not treated as independently audited.
- Hebron municipality: Some 5,000 residents still impacted by IDF operation in city
The Times of Israel · Reporting · 30 Oct 2026
Opened report citing the municipality’s broader count of people affected, including those evacuated or trapped; it is not equated with OCHA’s under-review displaced-person estimate.
- IDF ends Hebron raid, 11 days after deadly shooting attack
The Times of Israel · Reporting · 2 Nov 2026
Opened report by Emanuel Fabian and Nurit Yohanan. It says no public IDF statement had been issued; military officials confirmed to reporters that the operation was complete and troops withdrew from the neighborhood where the two attackers lived.
- Hebron governor says Israeli forces withdraw from city after 10-day siege
Al Jazeera (Anadolu Agency) · Reporting · 2 Nov 2026
Opened local reporting attributed to Anadolu. It attributes a full-city withdrawal and Palestinian security-control statement to Governor Khaled Dudin and reports the mayor said schools reopened and students returned.
- After days of aggression.. Withdrawal of the occupation from the entire city of Hebron
Sada News Agency · Reporting · 2 Nov 2026
Opened Palestinian local report quoting the governor and Civil Defense on return conditions; its displacement, demolition and business figures are locally attributed and not independently audited.